Stage 2 restrictions for the COVID-19 pandemic commenced in Victoria on 25th March 2020. We moved to Stage 3 on 31st March, so we have been doing this stay at home thing for over six weeks now. It is strange how quickly things become the “new normal”. Staying at home has definitely changed many of my behaviours and made me appreciate so many small things I previously might have taken for granted.
I hope you are doing okay where ever you are in the world and staying safe. Here are my monthly good finds from the internet for April, naturally with a COVID-19 theme.
Product finds
Shroom to Improve is a new Melbourne based start-up selling medicinal mushrooms and root supplements that can help combat the negative physical and mental health impacts of modern-day life. These supplements are great at any time, but couldn’t be more perfect than under COVID-19 circumstances.
I met the founder Adam at a conference last year and it has been fantastic to see the outline of his idea grow into an online business! I have purchased the Ashwagandha KSM-66 Vegan Balance and Vitality supplement and while it has only been a few days, I do think it has helped give me a bit of a boost!
UrbanGreens Micro Herbs Windowsill Grow Kit – the kit comes with a porcelain windowsill box with bamboo lid and drip tray, 3 sprouting herb varieties, organic propagation mix and a booklet with growing instructions and tips.
Natural Evolution Banana Bread Mix – want some gluten free, refined sugar free that is also super tasty, healthy and easy to make? Then this mix is for you. The founder of Natural Evolution’s start up story (a Queensland farmer) is super interesting and worth a read too!
Glasslock Rectangle Container Triple Colour Lid Set – I adore glass containers and love how these ones have pretty coloured lids! The containers are BPA free, fridge and freezer safe, and suitable for use in the microwave (without lid). The set includes 3 x 710ml containers.
Brynn & Co. Rainbow Embroidery Kit – a modern take the traditional embroidery kit – this is super cute! It would make a great gift or if you are amongst the lucky ones who have some more time to spare for crafting due to COVID-19, it could be your new project. The pattern has been created so you can customise the font style and words under the rainbow.
Your Wild Imagination: Nature Play Activities for Kids – a gorgeous book full of engaging activities for kids aged 2-10 years, with more than 20 nature play activities, including fabric printing, wood whittling and MYO pocket press.
Giant Games – if you have visted the Yard Games website you will know they have the most amazing range of giant games. They currently have a sale on at the moment on selected giant games, so if you have looked at one before and have it on your wishlist, now is the time to pick it up (while stocks last)!
Limited Edition Mother’s Day Gift Pack – while it may be too late to order this as a Mother’s Day gift, it would still make a great present for a family member or friend. There is over $125 worth of value in the pack for only $59.95 and it is shipped free. There are many of my favourite brands included in this pack!
Life Basics Eco Bamboo Sheet & Pillow Set – made from soft, 400 thread count bamboo lyocell of the highest quality. Breathable, the lustrous finish of Bamboo feels silky smooth on the skin.
Bamboo fibres are very durable and get softer with each wash. Bamboo grows very quickly, takes up little space and can grow abundantly without needing pesticides. It is hypoallergenic and stays cool in summer and maintains warmth in winter.
Aromamist Ultrasonic Mist Diffuser – I have had our diffuser going loads while we have been staying at home. During the day when we are working and home learning, I have been using a motivational or focus blend to help us all stay on task!
Recommended online resources
Holidays with Kids is an Australian family travel magazine and online resource. While we can’t currently holiday, Holidays with Kids still has us covered with their recently launched Family Matters by HWK. It is a free downloadable ebook to help keep families happy, healthy and inspired while we are all self-isolating. Each fortnight it gives you info and inspiration on:
- Armchair travel – providing ongoing travel inspiration for future plans, virtual travel experiences and e-dreaming
- Education at home – covering homeschooling, interactive learning and technology to assist with education
- Tips and tricks – advice on how to keep both parents and kids happy, healthy and entertained while at home together
You can sign up for your free copy here.
Yoga with Adriene is an amazing online resource you can use to help keep you feeling calm, refreshed and get you moving. I use yoga in my weekly exercise routine to help me with mobility and as a recovery technique.
Adriene has a 7.29M subscribers and over 500 videos on her YouTube channel. You can also access her videos from her website in curated free playlists and paid courses. If you are a runner and were like me and think “I don’t want to spend my exercise time on non-running activities”, know that yoga really can help your running! Adrienne even has these excellent classes specifically for runners:
- Yoga For Runners: 7 MIN POST-RUN
- Yoga For Runners 2 – Cool Down Sequence
- Yoga For Runners – Physical & Mental Stamina
Recommended podcasts
- Today Explained – Overflowing farms, desperate food banks – a puzzling aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been food shortages. This is an American podcast so documents the situation in America but it highlights how we have created a super-efficient but inflexible food production system that hasn’t been able to cope with the shock COVID-19 has delivered to the food supply chain. Hopefully we can learn from this.
- The Physiology Secrets Podcast – Strength Training At Home for Endurance Athletes – this podcast comes from a Melbourne based team and they have great advice on what you can do at home to keep up your strength training if you are an endurance runner or triathlete.
What have been your key finds this month?
Some of the links contain affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, making purchases through them helps support this site. Thank you!